More at SF Gate: “(02-06) 16:48 PST DUBLIN -- Johannes Mehserle, the former BART police officer accused of murder in the Jan. 1 shooting death of an unarmed man on the Fruitvale Station platform in Oakland, was released this afternoon on $3 million bail, authorities said.
Mehserle, 27, posted bail at 3:45 p.m. and was released from Santa Rita Jail without incident, the Alameda County Sheriff's Department said.”
Showing posts with label Oakland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oakland. Show all posts
Friday, February 06, 2009
Madoff Client List, Fox Theater, Blog News: Zennie62
This is my experimental multi-show where I broadcast on USTReam, YouTube, and BlogTalk Radio all at the same time. The show is about the just released Madoff Client list and the six Oakland and 43 San Francisco persons who were listed as victims of Madoff.
I also talk about the newly opened Fox Theater which had its Gala event last night -- a success. Funny that the Oakland Tribune website doesn't have a post about it. They swapped their Fox post for something about an animation movie. Who cares?
There's more. I'm going to make the YouTube video another way because I do not like the quality of the quick-capture system. I may wind up using two computers for this. Here's the USTream video...
And here's the BlogTalkRadio Link: Radio
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Tony West Appointed Assistant Attorney General By President Obama
Tony West, who you've frequently seen if you're a visitor to the Oakland Focus Blog , and my YouTube channel Zennie62 , was appointed Assistant Attorney General by President Barack Obama.
Congratulations, Tony!
I just interviewed Tony, who became a friend during the campaign, on November 12th here and in a talk where one can learn more about the man and his vast background (for example, he's worked in some way for six presidents and now seven) who was just appointed on Friday of this week:
But that was not the first time I talked with Tony. Here's the other videos:
This one last year at the California State Democratic Convention:
And this one when then-Senator Obama visited San Francisco for a large fundraising event:
Congratulations, Tony!
I just interviewed Tony, who became a friend during the campaign, on November 12th here and in a talk where one can learn more about the man and his vast background (for example, he's worked in some way for six presidents and now seven) who was just appointed on Friday of this week:
But that was not the first time I talked with Tony. Here's the other videos:
This one last year at the California State Democratic Convention:
And this one when then-Senator Obama visited San Francisco for a large fundraising event:
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
President Obama To Create Office Of Urban Policy
From President Barack Obama
The Obama White House website includes the following paragraph: “Create a White House Office on Urban Policy: President Obama and Vice President Biden will create a White House Office of Urban Policy to develop a strategy for metropolitan America and to ensure that all federal dollars targeted to urban areas are effectively spent on the highest-impact programs. The Director of Urban Policy will report directly to the president and coordinate all federal urban programs.”
As of this writing just who will serve is the role of The Director of Urban Policy is anyone's guess. I think Lennar's Director of Urban Land Kofi Bonner is the best choice to be President Barack Obama's Director of Urban Policy. He could hit the ground running.
The Obama White House website includes the following paragraph: “Create a White House Office on Urban Policy: President Obama and Vice President Biden will create a White House Office of Urban Policy to develop a strategy for metropolitan America and to ensure that all federal dollars targeted to urban areas are effectively spent on the highest-impact programs. The Director of Urban Policy will report directly to the president and coordinate all federal urban programs.”
As of this writing just who will serve is the role of The Director of Urban Policy is anyone's guess. I think Lennar's Director of Urban Land Kofi Bonner is the best choice to be President Barack Obama's Director of Urban Policy. He could hit the ground running.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
BART SHOOTING: Ron Dellums, Oakland Mayor Speaks at Protest
In the aftermath of the late-night arrest of BART Officer Johannes Mehserle, a planned Oakland City Hall-based protest went ahead as scheduled Sunday but with a less-angry energy than existed last week, when over 100 people were arrested and many downtown Oakland buildings were damaged in a night of rampaging protests against both Officer Mehserle's actions and the overall response of BART and elected officials.
In today's event, Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums took the microphone and really talked to the crowd about how their voice led to change. Then I talked with Mayor Dellums about his call for change and if that would lead to reforms within the Oakland Police Department.
Here's the video:
In today's event, Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums took the microphone and really talked to the crowd about how their voice led to change. Then I talked with Mayor Dellums about his call for change and if that would lead to reforms within the Oakland Police Department.
Here's the video:
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Steve Jobs taking medical leave of absence | Apple
More at CNET News: “Apple has confirmed that CEO Steve Jobs will step down from his CEO post while recuperating from a hormone imbalance. His absence will stretch until the end of June.
Tim Cook, Apple's chief operating officer, will run the company during Jobs' absence, according an e-mail Jobs sent to Apple employees that was released to the media.
Jobs said in the e-mail:
Unfortunately, the curiosity over my personal health continues to be a distraction not only for me and my family, but everyone else at Apple as well. In addition, during the past week, I have learned that my health-related issues are more complex than I originally thought.
In order to take myself out of the limelight and focus on my health, and to allow everyone at Apple to focus on delivering extraordinary products, I have decided to take a medical leave of absence until the end of June.
Trading in Apple's stock was halted following the announcement but resumed around 2 p.m. PT, falling more than 8 percent, as investors digested the news.”
Tim Cook, Apple's chief operating officer, will run the company during Jobs' absence, according an e-mail Jobs sent to Apple employees that was released to the media.
Jobs said in the e-mail:
Unfortunately, the curiosity over my personal health continues to be a distraction not only for me and my family, but everyone else at Apple as well. In addition, during the past week, I have learned that my health-related issues are more complex than I originally thought.
In order to take myself out of the limelight and focus on my health, and to allow everyone at Apple to focus on delivering extraordinary products, I have decided to take a medical leave of absence until the end of June.
Trading in Apple's stock was halted following the announcement but resumed around 2 p.m. PT, falling more than 8 percent, as investors digested the news.”
BART OFFICER JOHANNES MEHSERLE ARRESTED TONIGHT
More at Oakland Focus Blog: “In a shocking turn of events, it was reported by KTVU that BART Officer Johannes Mehserle, who was the central focus as the cop who shot 22-year-old Oscar Grant in the back on New Year's Day morning, was arrested in Nevada.
This is a dramatically fast development, since it was reported that Alameda County District Attorney Tom Orloff wasn't expect to take action until this Friday at the earliest and BART spokesperson Linton Johnson asked for everyone to let the process move forward.”
VIDEO:
This is a dramatically fast development, since it was reported that Alameda County District Attorney Tom Orloff wasn't expect to take action until this Friday at the earliest and BART spokesperson Linton Johnson asked for everyone to let the process move forward.”
VIDEO:
Saturday, January 10, 2009
BART Meeting on Oakland Shooting Sunday Jan 11 2 PM to 4 PM
I was just informed today, Saturday evening January 10th, 2009, that BART is holding a "community meeting" on Sunday, January 11th, which is tommorrow, from 2 PM to 4 PM at 101 Eighth Street, the Joseph P. Bort MetroCenter in Oakland, off Lake Merritt BART. More at Oakland Focus Blog.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Officer in BART shooting abruptly resigns
More at SF Gate.com: “(01-07) 19:14 PST OAKLAND -- The BART police officer who shot an unarmed man to death on a station platform early on New Year's Day quit the force Wednesday, avoiding an interview with police internal affairs investigators trying to get to the bottom of an incident that has prompted broad outrage.
Officer Johannes Mehserle, 27, was supposed to make a statement Wednesday about why he shot 22-year-old Oscar Grant as the supermarket worker lay face-down at the Fruitvale Station in Oakland, BART said.”
Officer Johannes Mehserle, 27, was supposed to make a statement Wednesday about why he shot 22-year-old Oscar Grant as the supermarket worker lay face-down at the Fruitvale Station in Oakland, BART said.”
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Oakland BART Police Shooting Update News
This is a review of the latest (to this date) information on the BART Police shooting of Oscar Grant. The Grant family lawyer John Burris has filed a $25 million damage claim. Two protests are planned for Wednesday one at 3 PM at Fruitvale BART.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
On The Oakland BART Shooting By Police at Fruitvale Sta
The Oakland BART Police Fruitvale Station shooting was a horrifying act of an individual police officer that, upon reflection, went insane for a moment. I'm glad people had video cameras and used them. But I'm not happy with the state of the police in Oakland and the East Bay.
What the officer did to young Oscar Grant was shameful. If you look at the videos, the officer first drags Grant over the station floor then positions him against the ground, and then pulls out his gun slowly then shoots him, but then looks up as if to say "Oh, that was an accident."
It did not look that way.
This should prompt a major investigation into how police are trained and the backgrounds and attitudes of the people that are recruited and how they're trained. There's something wrong and where there's smoke,there's fire.
Now, Oakland Lawyer John Burris has introduced a $25 million lawsuit against the police department and BART, and given the look of the videos -- there are two with very clear angles -- the evidence is clear and hard to refute.
That police officer deliberately shot Oscar Grant.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
1100 Broadway Downtown Oakland Mural Finished: Rocky Rische-Baird
After several months of work, the mural at 1100 Broadway in downtown Oakland is finished.
The work of Oakland artist Rocky Rische-Baird, it is a step back in time as much as it is a celebration of downtown Oakland and a landmark for 1100 Broadway itself. I talked to Rocky Rische-Baird about his new classic work.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Mayor's Office Treatment of Anne Campbell Washington Example of How Terrible City of Oakland Can Be - Chip Johnson, SF Chron
Mayor's Office Treatment of Anne Campbell Washington Example of How Terrible City of Oakland Can Be - Chip Johnson, SF Chron: “Chip Johnson SF Chron: - Loyalty or else in King Dellums' realm: “The city of Oakland no longer operates under a representative democracy - it's now a monarchy.
And within the confines of that form of government, any criticism or disloyalty directed at the king - whether real or imagined - is dealt with.
Her crime: She gave an affectionate hug to an elderly woman who spoke at a City Council meeting against a Dellums appointment to the city's housing authority commission in early October.”
--- This is unfortunate but nothing new. It's what happens when you are in an arena where people are not compensated for creating wealth but for artificially giving loyalty just to get paid. Thus, the way to rise in such organizations is via the backstabbing Johnson points to.
It's why we didn't get the 2005 Super Bowl. Forget the Raiders and the legal matters, it's this kind of rampant disfuction that is the reason. It's fair to say if you see a person of high rank in the offices of elected officials, it's commonly for this reason.
Now here, I'm going to give my friend Oaland City Attorney John Russo his "props" -- you'd never hear of that coming out of his office. And there's a way to measure how people do their jobs. Mayor Dellums should be ashamed that a story like this ever developed.”
And within the confines of that form of government, any criticism or disloyalty directed at the king - whether real or imagined - is dealt with.
Her crime: She gave an affectionate hug to an elderly woman who spoke at a City Council meeting against a Dellums appointment to the city's housing authority commission in early October.”
--- This is unfortunate but nothing new. It's what happens when you are in an arena where people are not compensated for creating wealth but for artificially giving loyalty just to get paid. Thus, the way to rise in such organizations is via the backstabbing Johnson points to.
It's why we didn't get the 2005 Super Bowl. Forget the Raiders and the legal matters, it's this kind of rampant disfuction that is the reason. It's fair to say if you see a person of high rank in the offices of elected officials, it's commonly for this reason.
Now here, I'm going to give my friend Oaland City Attorney John Russo his "props" -- you'd never hear of that coming out of his office. And there's a way to measure how people do their jobs. Mayor Dellums should be ashamed that a story like this ever developed.”
Monday, December 08, 2008
Yusuf Bey IV - New piece of Chauncey Bailey slaying puzzle surfaces
New piece of Bailey slaying puzzle surfaces: “The leader of Your Black Muslim Bakery expressed satisfaction on the morning Chauncey Bailey was killed, saying the journalist got what he deserved for taking on the troubled organization in his reporting, a bakery member told Oakland police in a recently discovered account given the day after the slaying.
Bakery leader Yusuf Bey IV summoned the woman to watch a TV news story about three hours after Bailey, 57, was gunned down on his way to work on Aug. 2, 2007, she told homicide investigators. As they watched the report on the Oakland Post editor's slaying, Bey told her, "That will teach 'em to f- with me," she said.
The woman worked at the bakery headquarters on San Pablo Avenue in Oakland and stayed in Bey's room there the night before Bailey was killed, she said. The Chronicle obtained a tape of her account and police notes of her interview, but is not naming her at the request of authorities who say her safety could be threatened.”
... More good work by the Chauncey Bailey Project.
Bakery leader Yusuf Bey IV summoned the woman to watch a TV news story about three hours after Bailey, 57, was gunned down on his way to work on Aug. 2, 2007, she told homicide investigators. As they watched the report on the Oakland Post editor's slaying, Bey told her, "That will teach 'em to f- with me," she said.
The woman worked at the bakery headquarters on San Pablo Avenue in Oakland and stayed in Bey's room there the night before Bailey was killed, she said. The Chronicle obtained a tape of her account and police notes of her interview, but is not naming her at the request of authorities who say her safety could be threatened.”
... More good work by the Chauncey Bailey Project.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Jojo's French Eatery In Oakland Closes Jan 1st - Hard times hit Bay Area restaurants
Hard times hit Bay Area restaurants: “Jojo, a neighborhood French restaurant in Oakland” is closing. It's at 3859 Piedmont AveOakland, CA 94611 (510) 985-3003
Friday, December 05, 2008
Pro-Israel Activist and Friend Dan Kilman Will Be Missed On Oakland's Grand Avenue And In The Bay Area
If you remember a year ago in November, I went out with my video camera and talked to two groups: SF Women in Black and SF Voice for Israel. If you shop at the Oakland Farmers Market, you remember a man carrying a large Israeli flag in front of the Grand Lake Theater. That man was Dan Kilman.
But some think fowl-play in the form of a hate crime had been committed. Red County reports that Kilman had been assaulted by anti-Israel activists before.
Some have made an issue of the fact that Dan was Gay and that perhaps his orientation played a role in his death. I don't think so. When I met Dan to do the video above, he didn't reveal that he was Gay at all, in fact he was with a woman and a small boy he seemed to tend to with great care, so I assumed he and she were married -- they certainly acted that way -- and I didn't think twice about it (but then I don't know what to look for in those matters anyway). I later asked Dan about that and he said she was a friend. The point is Dan didn't wear his sexual orientation on his sleave, that was reserved for his pro-Israel stance.
There's a memorial planned for Dan at this adress:
Please join us Sun, Dec 14, 7:30 PM at
Beth Jacob Congregation
3778 Park Blvd
Oakland, CA 94610
email: office@BethJacobOakland.org
There's also a Facebook page dedicated to Dan here: Dan Kilman Memorial on Facebook
This is that video series:
Part One:
Part Two
Part One:
Part Two
Well, the person in the video with the beard is one I came to call a friend; this a key part of Oakland culture, died recently. He supposedly died from falling down an elevator shaft after trying to climb out of a car stuck between floors. According to the website for "SF Voice for Israel" and where Dan was an active member, Kilman was found dead on December 1st at the bottom of an elevator shaft in a building located at 55 New Montgomery Street in San
Francisco called the Sharon Building.
Francisco called the Sharon Building.
But some think fowl-play in the form of a hate crime had been committed. Red County reports that Kilman had been assaulted by anti-Israel activists before.
Some have made an issue of the fact that Dan was Gay and that perhaps his orientation played a role in his death. I don't think so. When I met Dan to do the video above, he didn't reveal that he was Gay at all, in fact he was with a woman and a small boy he seemed to tend to with great care, so I assumed he and she were married -- they certainly acted that way -- and I didn't think twice about it (but then I don't know what to look for in those matters anyway). I later asked Dan about that and he said she was a friend. The point is Dan didn't wear his sexual orientation on his sleave, that was reserved for his pro-Israel stance.
The investigations under way center on the strong chance Dan's death was a hate crime, a case of antisemitism. More on this later.
There's a memorial planned for Dan at this adress:
Please join us Sun, Dec 14, 7:30 PM at
Beth Jacob Congregation
3778 Park Blvd
Oakland, CA 94610
email: office@BethJacobOakland.org
There's also a Facebook page dedicated to Dan here: Dan Kilman Memorial on Facebook
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Jane Tyska v. Art Michel - Michel Gets "Class Five Schmuck Alert"
There's a blog called "Schmuck Alert" that got wind of our Oakland Focus Blog posts on the way Oakland Police Chief Art Michel treated Oakland Tribune photographer Jane Tyska a few weeks back. Schmuck Alert wrote that in Michel's behavior, they've seen "calmer reactions at school bus collisions." Today, the Alameda County, California DA elected not to file charges against Tyska.
Jane Tyska v. Art Michel Alameda County DA Does Not File Charges Against Tyska
Today's Oakland Tribune contains happy news for Oakland Tribune photographer Jane Tyska, myself, and others in the media. The Alameda County District Attorney has declined to file charges against Tyska, who was wrongly accused of vadalism and inciting a riot by irate Oakland School District Police Chief Art Michel. Were it not for Tyska's quick thinking to video the entire interaction with Michel, the officer would have gotten away with filing a false police report and defaming Tyska's character.
I for one and very happy for Jane, almost to tears. I don't care how that reads, it's not appropriate for anyone in a position of authority, and especially carrying firearms to act in the way Michel did, who reportedly has mistreated Tyska before . If you hav not seen the video that was "seen round Oakland" and part of the World, here it is:
The next question is what's next? Will the Oakland Tribune file charges? Will Jane? Or is this the end. Time will tell.
I for one and very happy for Jane, almost to tears. I don't care how that reads, it's not appropriate for anyone in a position of authority, and especially carrying firearms to act in the way Michel did, who reportedly has mistreated Tyska before . If you hav not seen the video that was "seen round Oakland" and part of the World, here it is:
The next question is what's next? Will the Oakland Tribune file charges? Will Jane? Or is this the end. Time will tell.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Phil Tagami's Bay Cruise and Oakland Talk - August 31, 2008
I finally got the chance to edit, compress, and upload this boat ride I took with my friend Phil Tagami on August 31st of this year. Phil's a real estate developer and managing partner of California Commercial Investments / California Commercial Group. He also has his own video show here called "Tagami Vision."
He successfully redeveloped the Oakland Rotunda, in downtown Oakland, CA, and is now working on the recreation of the Oakland Fox Theater. Listen to this video because Phil gives a great view of the economic state of development not just in Oakland, but in the United States.
Also, keep in mind this video was before the election and just after John Edwards annouced that he had been in an affair. Tagami supported Edwards, but later and through the election threw his support to now President-Elect Barack Obama.
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